Improvement of K-2 rifle’s live-fire accuracy using virtual reality shooting training system

Virtual reality (VR) is used in military training with simulators for marksmanship training. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of VR simulation-based training, less is known about the association between VR marksmanship training and record-fire accuracy. In addition, the VR simulations utilized in prior research were largely rooted in laser infrared technology, which does not consider the ballistic trajectory of bullets. Thus, this study was designed to examine the effect of VR-based shooting training systems, Multi-purpose Assault and sniper Rifles-shooting Simulator (MARS) training that applies a six-degree-of-freedom trajectory of a rigid body, on live-fire accuracy. The participants were divided into three groups (non-MARS training, two-MARS training, and four or more-MARS training), and their live-fire scores were compared, considering the effects of psychological variables. Additionally, the proportions of elite shooters were computed among the groups. Analysis of variance showed that individuals who were exposed to MARS training four times or more showed better K2C1 rifle live-fire accuracy than those in two-MARS training and non-MARS training. In addition, the rate of elite shooters was the highest in the four or more-MARS groups. These results demonstrate that the VR simulation training using MARS, which applies an algorithm for a six-degree-of-freedom trajectory of a rigid body, can improve the K2C1 rifle live-fire accuracy. Future studies are needed to provide stronger evidence for the optimal number of MARS training programs to improve live-fire shooting performance.